The influence of wing morphology upon intraspecific divergence in birds: A global study of subspecies richness

Since the time of Darwin,subspecies have been recognized as an initial stage in the evolution of species.However,the impact of dispersal on subspecies richness in birds globally has received little attention,despite dispersal being a key factor in determining the rate of evolution and playing a significant role in evolutionary divergence.Therefore,it is important to conduct a comprehensive study to address this issue.In this study,we aimed to assess the association between subspecies richness(measured by the number of subspecies)and dispersal ability(measured by the hand-wing index)on a global scale,using a dataset of over 7000 bird species.Our results revealed a negative correlation between dispersal ability and the number of subspecies,without any quadratic correlation.The wing is a crucial phenotypic trait for birds,and the concept of subspecies is important in speciation theory and conservation biology.Therefore,our findings not only enhance our understanding of the association between avian morphological traits and evolutionary divergence but also have implications for the conservation of avian species diversity.

Infantile bacterial meningitis combined with sepsis caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus:A case report

BACKGROUND Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus(SGSP)is a rare pathogen responsible for infant sepsis and meningitis and is potentially overlooked because it is not included in routine group B streptococcal screenings.Hence,we present a case of SGSP-induced infant meningitis and sepsis,accompanied by bronchopneumonia induced by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),providing insights into the identification,management,and prognosis of this bacterial infection.CASE SUMMARY A 45-day-old female infant presented with two episodes of high fever(maximum temperature:39.5°C)and two generalized grand mal seizure episodes that lasted over ten seconds and self-resolved without concomitant symptoms.Postadmission,the patient’s C-reactive protein level was 40.73 mg/L,white blood cell count was 13.42×10^(9)/L,neutrophil ratio was 78.4%,procalcitonin level was 7.89μg/L,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)white cell count was 36×10^(6)/L,multinucleated cell ratio was 95.2%,and protein concentration was 0.41 g/L.Blood and CSF culture revealed that the pathogen was SGSP.The bacterium was sensitive to ampicillin,furazolidone,penicillin,lincomycin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,vancomycin,and levofloxacin but resistant to clindamycin and tetracycline.Sputum culture revealed the presence of MRSA,which was sensitive to vancomycin.The patient was diagnosed with meningitis and sepsis caused by SGSP,accompanied by bronchopneumonia induced by MRSA.Ceftriaxone(100 mg/kg/d)combined with vancomycin(10 mg/kg/dose,q6h)was given as an anti-infective treatment postadmission.After 12 days of treatment,the infant was discharged from the hospital with normal CSF,blood culture,and routine blood test results,and no complications,such as subdural effusion,were observed on cranial computed tomography.No growth retardation or neurological sequelae occurred during follow-up.CONCLUSION SGPSP-induced infant bacterial meningitis and sepsis should be treated with prompt blood and CSF cultures,and a sensitive antibiotic therapy to ensure a favorable prognosis.

Allelic functional variation of FimH among Salmonella enterica subspecies

Salmonella enterica has a wide diversity,with numerous serovars belonging to six different subspecies with dynamic animal-host tropism.The FimH protein is the adhesin mediating binding to various cells,and slight amino acid discrepancy significantly affects the adherence capacities.To date,the general function of FimH variability across dif-ferent subspecies of Salmonella enterica has not been addressed.To investigate the biological functions of FimH among the six Salmonella enterica subspecies,the present study performed several assays to determine biofilm for-mation,Caenorhabditis elegans killing,and intestinal porcine enterocyte cell IPEC-J2 adhesion by using various FimH allele mutants.In general,allelic mutations in both the lectin and pilin domains of FimH could cause changes in bind-ing affnity,such as the N79S mutation.We also observed that the N79S variation in Salmonella Dublin increased the adhesive ability of IPEC-J2 cells.Moreover,a new amino acid substitution,T260M,within the pilin domain in one subspecies llb strain beneficial to binding to cells was highlighted in this study,even though the biofilm-forming and Caenorhabditis elegans-killing abilities exhibited no significant differences in variants.Combined with point muta-tions being a natural tendency due to positive selection in harsh environments,we speculate that allelic variation T26oM probably contributes to pathoadaptive evolution in Salmonella enterica subspecies llb.

The Relation between Genetic Difference for Parents of Hybrid Rice and Heterosis

Exploring the indica-japonica differentiation in parents of hybridization can provide theoretical bases for utilizing inter-subspecific heterosis. In this study, 5 sterile lines and 18 self-bred restorer lines were used as female parents and male parents respectively. Then 90 combinations were constructed by incomplete diallel cross followed by relationship analysis between parental Cheng’s index difference value and Euclidean distance and heterosis. The results showed a significant correlation between several phenotype values, super male parent heterosis and control heterosis and Euclidean distance or Cheng’s index difference value. However, it was no significant correlation for yield. Further analysis found a common interval, 3.41 - 3.46 for Euclidean distance and 3 - 4 for cheng’s index difference value of parents, which was significant or high significant positive correlated with phenotype value, super male parent and control heterosis of main yield traits. This illustrates that the larger the genetic difference of parents was, the stronger the heterosis combinations were, when the genetic differences of parents were in an appropriate range.

Effects of High Light Stress on Chlorophyll-protein Complexes of Two Subspecies of Rice

Influence of high light stress on the photosynthesis of flag leaves of indica subspecies (cv. “Shanyou 63', sensitive to photoinhibition) and japonica subspecies (cv. “Wuyujing', resistant to photoinhibition) of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) was comparatively investigated. In both cultivars of rice, the excitation energy distribution between two photosystems was altered and the excitation energy transfer from light harvesting chlorophyll protein complexes to PSⅡ was inhibited by high light stress. These decreases were more pronounced in indica rice cultivar as compared to japonica one. The analysis of mild SDS_PAGE showed that in indica rice, high light stress almost disaggregated the trimer of light harvesting chlorophyll protein complexes of PSⅡ (LHC Ⅱ 1). The stress reduced the contents of internal antennae chlorophyll protein complexes of PSⅡ (CPa), light harvesting chlorophyll protein of PSⅠ (CPⅠa) and Chl a protein complex of PSⅠ reaction center (CPⅠ) as well as dimer of LHCⅡ (LHCⅡ 2) in indica rice. In japonica subspecies, however, high light stress depressed the contents of LHCⅡ 1, CPa and CPⅠa, but slightly impacted on CPⅠ content. Moreover, the increase in the contents of monomer of LHCⅡ by high light stress was found in both subspecies. In consistent with above results, analysis of polypeptide indicated that the amounts of 27 kD and 25 kD polypeptide of LHCⅡ in particular, as well as that of 21 kD polypeptide of CPⅠa were reduced by high light stress in both subspecies. It was found that, comparing with japonica rice, the stress pronouncedly diminished 43 kD and 47 kD proteins of CPa and 23 kD extrisic protein in indica rice.

The Phylogenetic Relationships among Four Subspecies of the Genus Locusta Based on Sequences of Three Subunit of Cytochrome Oxidase

[Objective] The aim was to explore the phylogenetic relationships among four subspecies of the genus Locusta.[Method] The sequences of three subunits of cytochrome oxidase of Locusta migratoria tibetensis and Locusta migratoria manilensis were amplified and sequenced（COⅠ 1 539 bp,COⅡ 684 bp,CO Ⅲ 792 bp,with the total of 3 015 bp）.The corresponding sequenses of Locusta migratoria migratoria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides were obtained from GenBank and constructed a multiple alignment.Phylogenic trees of four subspecies of L.migratoria were constructed by Neighbor-Joining,Maximum-parsimony and Bayesian,respectively.[Result] The average content of A ＋ T in three subunits of four subspecies was 69.57%;the third site of codon showed the highest A ＋ T content,and the COⅠ had the highest A ＋ T content（87.6%）;The nucleotide substitution mainly occurred at the third site of codon,and the nucleotide replacement rate of CO Ⅱ was the highest.The second site of codon was conservative,so the replacement rate was in the range of 5.9%-15%.The start codon of COⅠ was CCG or ACG.Genetic distances among four subspecies were ranged from 0.001 to 0.076.The relationship between L.m.tibetensis and Locusta migratoria manilensis was the closest,followed by L.m.migratorioides and L.m.migratorioides,while the genetic distance between L.m.tibetensis and L.m.migratorioides was the largest.[Conclusion] The phylogenetic relationships among four subspecies of Locusta migratoria is L.m.tibetensis,L.m.manilensis,L.m.migratoria,L.m.migratorioides.

Description of a New Subspecies of the Genus Saurogobio Bleeker (1870)

The genus Saurogobio Bleeker (1870) is a group of small sized cyprinids. Saurogobio dabryi Bleeker (1871) is widely distributed in East Asia.On the basis of careful inspection of morphological and meristic characters of specimen collected from Chenghai Lake in Yunnan and the opening river systems including Pearl River,Minjiang River,Yangtze River,Liaohe River and Songhuajiang River,the Chenghai Lake population of Saurogobio dabryi is considered to represent a new subspecies, Saurogobio dabryi chenghaiensis . Saurogobio dabryi chenghaiensis is distinguished by the combination of following characters.Rostral cap developed,covering over upper lip,and lips with developed papillae.Body and caudal peduncle very slender,body depth 12 7%-15 0% of standard length(SL),caudal peduncle depth 5 5%-6 1% of SL and 31 8%-39 1% of caudal peduncle length.A longitudinal dark stripe present along the axis on each side of body and 6-11 stick shaped black spots (its widths being 25%-50% of its lengths respectively) occur along the stripe.Distance from pelvic fin origin to anus is more than 50% of pelvic fin length.The length of the shortest caudal fin ray is less than 50% that of the longest one.The new subspecies occurs only in Chenghai Lake,Yunnan,China.

台湾省鸟类区系及其与附近地区的比较

台湾省是中国东南的大陆性岛屿;它与福建省相隔的最近处仅130公里。全省面积几达35,990平方公里。西部沿海一带主要为平原,东部和中部大都山地。本省在动物地理上属东洋界。在平原地区,年平均温度约为22℃,年降雨量在2,000毫米左右。从平原到高山,海拔每上升100米、气温下降0.6℃,到中央山脉,海拔3,000米以上的山峰,气温年平均5.7℃,年降雨量则高达5,000毫米以上,冬季常有积雪。岛上森林覆盖面积,约占全岛土地面积之一半。植被以热带、亚热带种类为主。

SUBSPECIFIC DIFFERENTIATION OF Paracobitis variegatus WITH COMMENTS ON ITS ZOOGEOGRAPHY

The distribution of the loach Paracobitis variegatus is confined to upper Yangtze, Huanghe and Nanpanjiang drainages. The number of branched dorsal fin rays, morphology of anterior nostril, colour pattern of head and the length of maxillary barbel indicate that it has differentiated into two subspecies. Both subspecies are isolated geographically: P. variegatus variegatus restricted to the upper Yangtze and the upper Huanghe Rivers, and P. variegatus longidorsalis, new subspecies, to the upper Nanpanjiang River. The subspecific differentiation is supposed to correlated to the sharp uplift of the eastern Yunnan Plateau during late Pleistocene. The taxonomic status of Nemachilus berezowsku Gunther, 1896 and Nemacheilus oxygnathus Regan, 1908 are also discussed and they are considered to be the synonyms of P. variegatus variegatus.

A CATALOGUE OF THE SEAGRASSES OF CHINA

In this overall survey of the seagrasses of China 15 species are listed, eight of which are recorded for the first time. The Potamogetonaceae (subfamilies Zosteroideae and Cymodoceoideae) are represented by 10 species, and the Hydrocharitaceae (subfamilies Vallisnerioideae, Thalassioideae and Halophiloideae)by 5 species. Halophila ovalis (R.Br.) Hook, f. is represented by 2 subspecies. A key to the species based on vegetative and generative characteristics is presented.

How many species of Apodemus and Rattus occur in China？ A survey based on mitochondrial cyt b and morphological analyses

Apodemus （mice） and Rattus （rats） are the top rodent reservoirs for zoonoses in China,yet little is known about their diversity.We reexamined the alpha diversity of these two genera based on a new collection of specimens from China and their cyt b sequences in GenBank.We also tested whether species could be identified using external and craniodental measurements exclusively.Measurements from 147 specimens of Apodemus and 233 specimens of Rattus were used for morphological comparisons.We analysed 74 cyt b sequences of Apodemus and 100 cyt b sequences of Rattus to facilitate phylogenetic estimations.Results demonstrated that nine species of Apodemus and seven species of Rattus,plus a new subspecies of Rattus nitidus,are distributed in China.Principal component analysis using external and craniodental measurements revealed that measurements alone could not separate the recognized species.The occurrence of Rattus pyctoris in China remains uncertain.

Prospects of utilization of inter-subspecific heterosis between indica and japonica rice

The Asian cultivated rice(Oryza sativa L.) grown worldwide is divided into two subspecies, indica and japonica. It is well known that the heterosis of inter-subspecies is usually stronger than that of intra-subspecies. Since the 1970 s, indica hybrid rice, an intra-subspecific hybrid rice, has being widely used in China and even in the world. However, the inter-subspecific hybrid rice between indica and japonica is still unavailable. The major obstacle is the hybrid sterility of the inter-subspecies. In recent decades, the genetic and molecular basis of indica-japonica hybrid sterility was understood more and more clearly. Some breeding approaches for overcoming inter-subspecific hybrid sterility were proposed and used to develop the indicajaponica hybrid rice. The updated understanding will offer new approaches for development of breeding lines for overcoming indica-japonica hybrid sterility, which facilitates developing of inter-subspecific hybrid rice.

High prevalence of viable Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in Crohn's disease

AIM:To examine the detection rate of viable Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis(MAP) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [Crohn's disease(CD) and ulcerative colitis(UC)].METHODS:Thirty patients with CD(15 with at least one NOD2/CARD15 mutation),29 with UC,and 10 with no inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).were tested for MAP by polymerase chain reaction(specific IS900 fragment) and blood culture.RESULTS:MAP DNA was detected in all original blood samples and 8-wk blood cultures(CD,UC and non-IBD).Positive MAP DNA status was confirmed by dot blot assays.All 69 cultures were negative by acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen staining.Viable MAP,in spheroplast form,was isolated from the 18-mo blood cultures of all 30 CD patients,one UC patient,and none of the non-IBD controls.No association was found between positive MAP cultures and use of immunosuppressive drugs or CDassociated single nucleotide polymorphisms.CONCLUSION:MAP is widely present in our area and MAP DNA can be recovered from the blood of CD,UC and non-IBD patients.However,MAP spheroplasts were only found in CD patients.

Disease Progression Patterns of SHIV-KB9 in Rhesus Macaques of Chinese Origin in Comparison with Indian Macaques

Objective To develop a model of SHIV-KB9/Chinese origin rhesus （Ch Rh） macaques for vaccine research and to compare the pathogenesis of SHIV-KB9 in Ch Rh macaques with that reported in Indian rhesus （Ind Rh） macaques. Methods Seven mamu-A＊01 negative Ch Rh macaques were inoculated intravenously with 1-10000 MID50 of SHIV-KB9. The monkeys were monitored for viral load, CD4, CDS, SHIV-specific antibody and virus genetic variation. The results were compared with those previously observed in Ind Rh macaques. Results As compared to that observed in Ind Rh macaques, SHIV-KB9 in Ch Rh macaques displayed three identical disease progression patterns. However, the primary pattern was not identical between the two subspecies. The level of plasma viremia differed in SHIV-KB9-infected Ch Rh macaques which exhibited different outcomes from those in Ind Rh macaques. Generally, the values of viral load and the maintenance of CD4^＋ T cells were associated with humoral responses. Otherwise, the viral genetic distances （divergence, diversity） were larger in animals （M419, M425） with their CD4^＋ T cells profoundly depleted. Conclusion The model of SHIV-KB9/Ch Rh macaques displays a relatively slow progression to AIDS compared with Ind Rh macaques, which may more accurately reflect the potential of candidate vaccines in humans.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and its relationship with Crohn's disease

The hypothesis postulating that Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis(MAP) is the cause of Crohn's disease(CD) has been circulating for many years.Advances in molecular techniques,such as polymerase chain reaction and culture methods,have enabled researchers to demonstrate that there is an association between MAP and CD.Recently,genome-wide association studies have identified novel susceptibility genes for CD,which are critical for generation of an adaptive immune response that is protective against intracellular pathogens,including M.tuberculosis infection.However,the role of MAP as a cause of CD suffered a setback with the report that administration of antimycobacterial therapy failed to lead to a sustained response in CD patients.Accordingly,this review sought neither to confirm nor refute this,but instead to survey recent literature on the role of MAP in CD.

NOD2 and ATG16L1 polymorphisms affect monocyte responses in Crohn's disease

AIM： TO assess whether polymorphisms in NOD2 and ATG16L1 affect cytokine responses and mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis （MAP） survival in monocytes from Crohn＇s disease （CD） patients METHODS： Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood of CD patients of known genotype for common single nucleotide polymorphisms of NOD2 and ATG16L1, Monocytes were challenged with MAP and bacterial per- sistence assessed at subsequent time-points. Cytokine responses were assayed using a Milliplex multi-analyte profiling assay for 13 cytokines. RESULTS： Monooltes heterozygous for a NOD2 polymorphism （R702W, P268S, or 1007fs） were more permissive for growth of MAP （P = 0.045） than those without. There was no effect of NOD2 genotype on subsequent cytokine expression. The T300A polymorphism of ATG16L1 did not affect growth of MAP in our model （P = 0.175）, but did increase expression of cytokines interleukin （IL）-10 （P = 0.047） and IL-6 （P = 0.019）. CONCLUSION： CD-associated polymorphisms affected the eliminaUon of MAP from ex v/vo monooltes （NOD2）, or expression of certain oltokines （ATG16LI）, implying independent but contributory roles in the pathogenesis of CD.

Relationship between Crohn’s disease, infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and SLC11A1 gene polymorphisms in Sardinian patients

AIM： To study the association between Crohn＇s disease （CD）, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratubercuolsis （MAP）, and genetic factors by examining the role of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 （NRAMP1） gene polymorphisms （now SLCllA1） in Sardinian patients with CD and controls. METHODS： Thirty-seven CD patients and 34 controls with no inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） were recruited at the University of Sassari after giving written consent. Six SCL11A1 polymorphisms previously reported to be the most significantly associated with IBD were searched. M, pafatubefculosis was identified by IS900 PCR and sequencing. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios （OR） for the associations among CD, presence of MAP, and 6 loci described above.＇ RESULTS： For the first time, a strong association was observed between polymorphisms at NRAMP1 locus 823C/T and CD. While CD was strongly associated with both NRAMP1 and MAP, NRAMP1 polymorphisms and MAP themselves were not correlated. CONCLUSION： Combined with previous work on the NOD2/CARD15 gene, it is clear that the interplay of genetic, infectious, and immunologic factors in the etiology of CD is complex.

Morphological Comparison between Chinese Ayu and Japanese Ayu and Establishment of Plecoglossus altivelis chinensis Wu&Shan subsp.nov.

The countable characters of Qingdao, Zhejiang, Liaoning and Japanese Ayu arecompared. There are no substantial different characters among the former three Ayu, so thecomprehensive values of them are taken as representative of Chinese Ayu, which is in turn comparedwith Japanese Ayu ( Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis and Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis). By thecoefficient of difference test, 3 and 4 characters are found to be beyond the subspecies levelbetween Chinese Ayu and nominate subspecies (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) and between ChineseAyu (Plecoglossus altivelis chinensis) and Ryukyus subspecies (Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis),respectively, which shows that they belong to different subspecies. The China mainland Ayu is a newsubspecies, Plecoglossus altivelis chinensis Wu and Shan, the establishment of which and its formingcauses are discussed.

Nuclear and chloroplast genome diversity revealed by low-coverage whole-genome shotgun sequence in 44 Brassica oleracea breeding lines

Whole-genome shogun sequence(WGS)data generated by next-generation sequencing(NGS)platforms are a valuable resource for crop improvement.We produced 5–6×WGS coverage of 44 Brassica oleracea breeding lines representing seven subspecies/morphotypes:cabbage,broccoli,cauliflower,kailan,kale,Brussels sprout,and kohlrabi to systematically evaluate the nuclear and chloroplast(Cp)diversity in the 44 B.oleracea breeding lines.We then exploited the impact of low-coverage NGS by evaluating nuclear genome diversity and assembly,annotation of complete chloroplast(Cp)genomes and 45 S nuclear ribosomal DNA(45S nrDNA)sequences,and copy number variation for major repeats.Nuclear genome diversity analysis has revealed a total of 496463 SNPs and 37493 indels in the nuclear genome across the 44 accessions.Interestingly,some SNPs showed subspecies enrichment at certain chromosomal regions.The assembly of complete Cp genomes contained 153361–153372 bp with 37 variants including SNPs and indels.The 45S nrDNA transcription unit was 5802 bp long with a total of 31 SNPs from the 44 lines.The phylogenetic tree inferred from the nuclear and Cp genomes coincided and clustered broccoli,cauliflower,and kailan in one group and cabbage,Brussels sprout,kale,and kohlrabi in another group.The morphotypes diverged during the last 0.17 million years.The Cp genome diversity reflected the unique cytoplasm of each subspecies,and revealed that the cytoplasm of many breeding lines was replaced and intermingled via inter-subspecies crosses during the breeding process instead.The polymorphic Cp markers provide a classification system for the cytoplasm types in B.oleracea.Furthermore,copy numbers of major transposable elements(TEs)showed high diversity among the 44 accessions,indicating that many TEs have become active recently.Overall,we demonstrated a comprehensive utilization of low-coverage NGS data and might shed light on the genetic diversity and evolution of diverse B.oleracea morphotypes.

Neotype designation and redescription of Tropidophorus guangxiensis Wen, 1992(Squamata:Sauria: Scincidae), with description of a new subspecies from central South China

The genus Tropidophorus consists of small semi-aquatic lizards that dwell in lowland forest steams(Barbour,1921;Bauer&Jackman,2008).Here,we designate the neotype and re-describe T.guangxiensis Wen,1992 based on newly collected topotypic specimens.We also describe a new subspecies from Xuefeng Mountain,Hongjiang County。